The 'Jersey Shore' star faces up to five years in prison.
Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino pleaded guilty to a charge of tax evasion in a New Jersey federal court on Friday, ET confirms.
The Jersey Shore star faces up to five years in prison, while his older brother, Marc Sorrentino, who pleaded guilty to aiding the preparation of a false and fraudulent tax return, faces up to three years.
“What the defendants admitted to today, quite simply, is tantamount to stealing money from their fellow taxpayers,” U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito said in a statement obtained by ET. “All of us are required by law to pay our fair share of taxes. Celebrity status does not provide a free pass from this obligation.”
Mike admitted that in tax year 2011, he took actions to conceal some of his income to avoid paying the full amount of taxes he owed. He revealed that he made cash deposits into bank accounts in amounts less than $10,000 each so that these deposits would not come to the attention of the IRS.
His brother, Marc, confessed that during tax years 2010, 2011 and 2012, he earned taxable income and that he willfully provided his accountants with false information when preparing his tax return. His personal tax returns under-reported his total income and taxable income.
Sentencing is set for April 25. The court has approved Mike's request to travel to Florida for the Jersey Shore Family Vacation reunion show while under probation.
In a statement to ET, Sorrentino's attorneys, Henry E. Klingeman and Kristen M. Santillo,said their client is committed to living a "law-abiding life" moving forward.
"Today, Michael Sorrentino has come to terms with mistakes he made at a very different and tumultuous time in his life. He deeply regrets his failure to pay his taxes, and has spent the past several years turning his life into something positive. He has been sober for two years, counseled other young people facing life’s stresses, and has built a stable, loving relationship with his girlfriend Lauren Pesce, who stands by his side," the statement reads. "The plea terms call for a balance between punishing the wrong committed and conditions that facilitate Mike living a productive, law-abiding life moving forward. Following through on this plea agreement, Michael intends to pay restitution before sentencing. We hope that the Court will consider the totality of the circumstances, including Michael’s minor role in the offense, and impose a fair sentence. In the meantime, he will continue to entertain millions on “Jersey Shore” and thanks everyone who has expressed support."
The rest of the Jersey Shore cast, meanwhile, has been all over social media documenting their trip to Miami, Florida, for the show.
See more in the video below.
Additional reporting by Brendon Geoffrion and Rande Iaboni.
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